Trinity Gaels lead the way
ROUND-UP: DUBLIN AFL DIVISION 4
Daire Walsh
TRINITY Gaels preserved their unbeaten record in AFL Division Four on Saturday, when they got the better of Lucan Sarsfields at 12th Lock on a scoreline of 3-17 to 2-16.
The Donaghmede men currently have a five-point lead over four teams at the top of the table – with Good Counsel occupying second place due to their superior scoring average. There was little to separate Counsel and Clanna Gael Fontenoy during their meeting at Sean Moore Park, but just when they looked set for their third league defeat, a dramatic injury-time goal by Derek Ryan propelled them towards a 1-12 to 1-10 success.
St Margaret’s are also five points adrift of Trinity Gaels, after they defeated St Finian’s, Newcastle by 1-13 to 0-6. The excellent Conor Hickey finished with an excellent individual haul of 1-5, and there were also strong scoring returns from Conor Sutton (0-6) and Colm Barry (0-2).
St Finian’s, Swords are also in contention for a play-off place, and although Kilmacud Crokes opened up an early cushion in their encounter at Ridgewood Park, goalkeeper Stephen McNally produced a stunning save from the penalty spot.
A subsequent Scott Brennan goal helped Finian’s to edge ahead in time for the break, and this proved crucial in a 1-9 to 0-11 triumph. There were also slender wins for Cuala over Castleknock and St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh against Man-O-War, while a 1-9 to 0-11 victory for St Monica’s at home to St Brigid’s was their first of this year’s campaign.